Pasadena TX vs Sterling Heights MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
125,983
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 41.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 45.5% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 18.1% | 6.6% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 9.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 2.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $78,429 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $37,315 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 6.2% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 10.6% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 31.2% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
76.4%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $309,742 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 76.4% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.3% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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